Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) Acting President James Eetoolook today offered condolences to the family and friends of James Arvaluk, a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and a past president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).

“I knew James Arvaluk for many years. I deeply respected his dedication to Inuit and his valuable contribution to the creation of Nunavut. In his role as ITK president, James helped push for the creation of a separate territory so that Inuit could be in control of our own lives,” said Eetoolook.

As president of ITK, Mr. Arvaluk presented the first proposal to create Nunavut to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in the 1970s. He also served as president of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association during the negotiations for the Nunavut Agreement and played a key role in building Canadian awareness about the need for land claims for Inuit.

Mr. Arvaluk passed away yesterday.